Apollo to land...as Windows Phone 8

posted by Scott H. / Feb 02, 2012, 5:01 PM

The much ballyhooed Q4 Apollo update to Windows Phone will be taking the platform to a whole ‘nother level – the level of Windows Phone 8. That’s according to a Pocketnow, which managed to get their paws on a promotional video for WP8 that was made by none other than Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore and intended for Nokia-eyes-only.

We already knew that the Apollo update would bring dual-core SoCs and a greater variety of screen resolutions to the Windows Phone family. The video adds many more details; including confirmation of the rumor we reported on last week, that Windows Phone 8 will be adopting the same kernel as the desktop/tablet version of Windows 8. In addition to the kernel, both platforms will apparently share the same network stacks, security, and multimedia code.

Deeper Xbox integration will be coming, and while that’s no great surprise, it will also share a client with desktop installs, allowing for seamless account integration between console, desktop, and smartphone. It was also mentioned that they will be dumping the Zune client, apparently in favor of a dedicated companion app. It’s possible this could be built around Skydrive, which will be more integrated into Windows Phone 8 as a native cloud-syncing service.

Also to be featured will be a fully baked-in Skype, which should let VoIP calls act just like an ordinary phone call (think Google Talk integration in Android), server-side compression of websites to speed up web content delivery, and several enterprise-oriented upgrades, including 128-bit full-disk encryption.

In short, Windows Phone 8 will be the biggest overhaul to the platform since Microsoft elected to dump Windows Mobile. Whether that will let them compete better with Android and Apple remains to be seen, but if you’re a fan of the Windows Phone platform you have to be excited by what’s coming down the pike.

Update: Paul Thurrott has updated his Windows blog, confirming many of these details. He clarified that while Skype will be better integrated, it won't be preinstalled on the OS (so you could use other VoIP solutions if you prefer). He also clarified that all WP7 apps will be compatible from day one with WP8, even though the kernel will be different. We've added his site to the sources, if you want even more detail.

Posts: 9; Member since: Apr 24, 2011

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 5:22 PM 9

Posts: 1436; Member since: Jul 11, 2008

Now this is exciting. Considering windows 8 will run on ARM, there will be little to stop true cross platform ports except hardware limits like display size and resolution, CPU/GPU, and RAM. But these are issues that are handled much more easily than porting an app for a different kind of chip architecture. Ive been hoping for this. Tablet, phone, and PC truly United. And after a few more full version upgrades for windows, windows phone, and Xbox dashboard, I predict Microsoft will have one unified OS for all three platforms. Gimped in functionality only on Xbox to keep it fun and simple.

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 5:24 PM 6

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posted on Feb 03, 2012, 6:29 AM 0

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

I am going to keep a VERY close eye on these developments. To me WP8 looks very appealing. What will definitely get me there will be the Xbox 360/new console 720 integration.
To me that will be the differentiating factor that will make me leave Android & go WP8. Now if the integration is not mind blowing then I will stick with Android.
I just hope WP8 has something truly special in mind with the current Xbox 360 or the new Xbox 720 as it's being labeled.

posted on Feb 03, 2012, 9:43 AM 2

Posts: 1436; Member since: Jul 11, 2008

Windows phone 7 already has really nice Xbox live integration. From being able To customize your avatar and profile to checking yours and your friends achievements. You can even send them messages. I'm sure with the next update beacons will be added. Kinect integration is coming strongly, you can check some videos for that. And with the Xbox live companion app you can control your Xbox dashboard. In fact a few of the games on the wp7 marketplace are companions to the xbl games and data saves across both platforms. I also love how xbl games on wp7 have achievements. My only gripe is that games on wp7 are casual. No really great games with great gameplay or graphics like on android and especially ios, with a few exceptions. This is a huge disappointment in a platform that does every other aspect of gaming better than the competition.
So even though integration is already good, it can only get better. Your hopes will be reality for sure.

posted on Feb 03, 2012, 10:01 AM 2

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

+1 I agree with everything you said. My brother has a WP7.5 & we both talk about the Xbox 360 integration while nice it is still lacking.
We are talking about the hardcore crowd. We want some real substance, Imagine being able to play a level or 2 of Gears of War 3 on your phone & finish the rest of the game at home on the actual Xbox 360. You know other meatier integration, not the casual integration it has now.
Especially when WP8 comes out, quad-core tech will be readily available so what I stated above can actually be a reality. If it ever gets like that I am so there. The WP8 has HUGE potential & I just want to see what it is all about! lol

Posts: 1436; Member since: Jul 11, 2008

posted on Feb 03, 2012, 11:11 AM 1

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

Another +1 for you! clevername you are the man. The more I talk to you the more respect I have for you. Since Windows 8 is going to be cross platform then my idea should fly on all their stuff, Xbox 360, PC, Tablet, & WP8. I am with you, the tablet option would be better because of the larger screen, but the times when a tablet is not around the 4.7 inch screen on my mobile device would just have to do.
Mega Man 3 was the best. I love Magnet Man, he to me always looked cool. He is the robot version of Magneto! lol

posted on Feb 03, 2012, 11:29 AM 0

Posts: 3621; Member since: Jan 19, 2011

I am not excited yet, but I am letting myself grin a little. Yes, there are things I want that I just cannot get on my WP, things that are with Android only. But I truly enjoy my phone, and really am satisfied even lacking some of those items. So, how much better will I be when I shell out the 600$ or so for a WP8?
Okay, I lied. I am a little excited.

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 5:45 PM 2

Posts: 167; Member since: Oct 28, 2011

There had initially been reports that it could land in Q3, but based on the leaked timelines from a Microsoft sled that has been reported on it looks like Apollo will be announced in Q3 - actual devices will most likely be Q4.
Hopefully it will be early Q4!

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 11:14 PM 0

Posts: 20; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 8:25 PM 3

Posts: 1436; Member since: Jul 11, 2008

It has support for micro sd already. It just works differently., it acts like the sd is part of the phones internal storage. it means it can't be removed with out a system restore but it does have advantages over the way Android handles removable storage.

posted on Feb 03, 2012, 9:09 AM 0

Posts: 20; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 8:27 PM 1

Posts: 167; Member since: Oct 28, 2011

You're right - there are details at both sites that were not translated verbatim, that's why we put the links in. It'll be interesting to see if micro SD gets implemented much - consumers like them, but the trend seems to be moving away from them in top tier phones.

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 9:24 PM 1

Posts: 333; Member since: Jun 28, 2010

posted on Feb 03, 2012, 12:50 AM 1

Posts: 25; Member since: Jan 20, 2012

windows phone will never earn market share in countries like india, japan, china unless it supports basic features like bluetooth ftp, mass storage, memory card, etc. I'm from india and i managed to convince my friends to buy windows phone but as soon as they realised those short comings, none dared to buy it!! Its one of the major reasons for even iphone to loose some market ground to android

posted on Feb 02, 2012, 10:17 PM 2

Posts: 394; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

This is exciting news! I bought my first WP7 (as 2nd phone to my beloved Android) a month and a half ago and have really fallen in love with it! I hope that what I have read elswhere is true that every WP7 phone is getting 2 MAJOR updates. If correct, my phone is qualified to get updated to WP8, hopefully before year end! As I said, this is exciting news!

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